A look at the utility-scale power projects joining the US grid

Utility-scale power generation is the process of producing electricity at a large scale for distribution to the electrical grid, rather than for individual residential or commercial use. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), 368 utility-scale power plants began operation in the United States during the first half of the year, marking a period of significant infrastructure expansion driven primarily by solar energy and large-scale wind projects.

Data from the EIA highlights that the energy transition is currently dominated by solar photovoltaic installations, which account for the vast majority of new project counts. While solar projects are numerous, a small number of massive wind developments contribute significantly to the total generating capacity added to the grid.

What energy sources are driving new grid capacity?

Solar energy is the primary driver of new utility-scale power capacity in the United States, representing the largest share of the 368 plants brought online in the first half of the year. While natural gas remains a component of the energy mix, the rapid deployment of utility-scale solar arrays has outpaced other forms of generation in terms of the sheer number of operational sites. This surge in solar development is largely attributed to falling costs of photovoltaic components and federal incentives aimed at expanding domestic renewable energy capacity.